The Private Label Manufacturers Association has announced the winning retailers of PLMA’s 2019 International “Salute to Excellence” Awards honouring innovation in food and non-food private label products.

The Awards were given to 36 retailers from 13 countries. Retailers in Germany came away with 17 International “Salute to Excellence” Awards, followed by 12 Awards each for retailers in the Netherlands and Ireland and six Awards each for retailers in Spain and France and four Awards for retailers in the United Kingdom and Denmark.

Five Awards, the most for any retailer, were given to Ireland’s Musgrave Retail Partners. Another Irish grocer, Dunnes Stores, came away with four Awards, as did Aldi, Lidl and SPAR. Aldi was recognised for products sold in its United Kingdom and Irish stores, Lidl for products sold in the Netherlands and Germany, and SPAR for its private label in the Netherlands.

“My congratulations go to the winning retailers,” said PLMA president Brian Sharoff, “as well as to all of the other companies which participated in the event. For many years, we have heard the complaint that private label is merely a copycat of A-brands. These awards demonstrate clearly that private label is now leading the retail industry and giving shoppers the great products they want.”

All the Award-winning food and non-food products were selected by panels of judges, consisting of industry experts, including chefs, former retailers, academics, nutritionists, journalists, and packaging specialists.

More than 500 products introduced in the past year by 88 retailers in 23 countries were considered for Awards. The products showed the creativity and innovation of retailers. For example, Migros in Switzerland introduced Mi Bugs, containing mealworms, locust and crickets; Aldi UK created an organic edamame pasta, and Delhaize Belgium made a wild boar stew.

In addition to food and non-food, the Salute to Excellence Awards featured private label wines. Nearly 350 wines in 25 categories were judged and 26 retailers from 10 countries were honoured for best quality or best value. PLMA’s International “Salute to Excellence” Awards were established in 2014. To see all the “Salute to Excellence” winners, go to www.plmasalute.com.